Romans 15:2  
Each of us must strive to please our neighbors, pursuing their welfare so they will become strong. (The Voice)

Are you living so that you bless your neighbor?

Luke 10:25-37 Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ 36 So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” 37 And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” (NKJV)

The parable of the “Good Samaritan” identifies your neighbor. It is important to realize your address does not determine “your neighbor.” God points out your neighbor when He shows you one who is in need. You live in a world that encourages you to promote yourself, gratify your wants, and look out for number one. This same world calls you foolish and soft when you show concern for and put someone else’s needs above your own.

However, in this same world, Maslow, the human behaviorist, deals with a principle called transcendence. He believed when you transcend; you come to realize that it is not enough to maximize your own potential. You discover real fulfillment comes when you understand the integral part you play in someone else maximizing theirs. 

“Transcendence refers to the very highest and most inclusive or holistic levels of human consciousness, behaving and relating, as ends rather than means, to oneself, to significant others, to human beings in general, to other species, to nature, and to the cosmos”
Maslow, A. H. (1971). The farther reaches of human nature. New York, NY, US: Arkana/Penguin Books.

Don’t know if Maslow was saved, but he got his concept from the Lord. When you allow God to direct all of your desires, you go beyond your ordinary human level of consciousness. You are able to experience “a oneness” with the Lord almighty and gain deeper understanding and higher truths. Spiritual transcendence is the God given and inspired desire, passion and commission to help others find the answer to their emptiness, who is Jesus Christ. It is a desire to model, teach and train, not dictate, drill and demand.

Acts 17: 28a For in Him we live, and move, and have our being (KJV) 

“God being in control of your life” is the reality God wants you to get to. You are not your own. You are in the world for God to use you to make it better.

Please agree with me as I pray:

I thank You, Father God, for requiring me to live my life with concern and care for others. Thank You for helping me to be salt and light in the earth. I desire to live so someone can see You in me and give You glory. I repent for thinking my life was only about me and what I want and need from You. You have helped me see not only is my life not about me, now; but it was never about me and will never be about me. You created me for You and for Your pleasure. Your pleasure is for none to perish but all to come into the knowledge of the truth. I am at your service, Father. Thank You for picking me. Thank You for allowing me the opportunity, every day, to show someone the love of Christ; to be there when they need physical help; to encourage someone; to help someone see they do not lose all because You are ever present, and You have promised to never leave nor forsake. Father, I thank You…